Australia in a spot of bother against Proteas

Set an intimidating victory target of 539, the home side were wobbling on 169 for four at stumps and facing a potential record defeat against South Africa. Usman Khawaja was on 58 and Mitchell Marsh on 15, with South Africa’s unbeaten record at the ground set to be extended. An extraordinary piece of fielding by the diminutive Temba Bavuma removed the dangerous David Warner for 35 to end an opening stand of 52. 

Warner dropped the ball in front of him and set off for a quick single, but Bavuma pounced from cover and unleashed a powerful throw while horizontal and still in mid-air. It rattled the stumps at the non-striker’s end with Warner centimetres out of his ground. The dismissal set the stage for Rabada (3-49) to display his quality in the absence of champion pacemen Dale Steyn due to a shoulder injury suffered on the first day. Bowling with high pace in his ninth Test, the 21-year-old showed he can become the perfect longterm replacement for Steyn when he removed Smith (34) and Adam Voges (1) in successive overs. 

Smith had looked solid but drove at a ball and got an outside edge to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Rabada’s next over to Voges was outstanding, with a couple of almost unplayable deliveries before he had the new batsman caught behind off a thin outside edge. South Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt was thrilled with Rabada and said the over to Voges gave him goosebumps. Earlier, South Africa had declared their second innings on 540 for 8 after lunch when Philander was bowled by Smith for 73. It ended a brisk 72-run stand with Keshav Maharaj (41 not out) as the visitors batted the home side out of the match after resuming on 390 for 6 on Sunday morning. The pair put on 250 for the third wicket as part of a remarkable comeback by the tourists.

Brief scores: South Africa 242 & 540/8 dec. (Duminy 141, Elgar 127, Philander 73, de Kock 64, Maharaj 41*, Siddle 2/62, Marsh 2/77) vs Australia 244 & 169/4 (Khawaja 58*, Warner 35, Smith 34, Rabada 3/49)